5: Biomedical waste management

Biomedical Waste Management

Biomedical waste (BMW), also known as healthcare waste, includes any material generated during diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals that may pose infection, injury, or environmental harm. Proper management is critical to prevent disease transmission (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B/C), protect healthcare workers and the public, and minimize ecological damage.

Categories and Segregation

BMW is classified into:

1. Infectious Waste: Contaminated items (e.g., blood-soaked gauze, cultures, sharps).
2. Pathological Waste: Human tissues, organs, or fluids.
3. Sharps: Needles, scalpels, broken glass.
4. Chemical/Pharmaceutical Waste: Expired drugs, disinfectants, solvents.
5. Genotoxic Waste: Cytotoxic drugs (e.g., chemotherapy agents).
6. Radioactive Waste: Unused liquids from radiotherapy.

Segregation at the point of generation uses color-coded containers:

• Red Bags/Bins: Infectious non-sharps (e.g., gloves, dressings).
• Yellow Containers: Pathological or anatomical waste.
• Sharps Containers (puncture-proof, labeled): Needles, syringes.
• Black Bags: General non-hazardous waste.
  Mixing waste types is prohibited—misplaced sharps or chemicals in red bags creates serious hazards.

Handling and Storage

• Always wear PPE (gloves, gown, face shield) when handling BMW.
• Seal containers when ¾ full; never compress waste.
• Store waste in designated, secure, ventilated areas away from public access. Label with generation date, content, and biohazard symbols.
• Transport using dedicated trolleys/carts; avoid manual carrying.

Treatment and Disposal

Methods vary by waste type:

• Autoclaving: Steam sterilization (121°C, 15+ PSI) for infectious waste before shredding/landfilling.
• Incineration: High-temperature burning for pathological, pharmaceutical, or chemical waste.
• Chemical Disinfection: For liquid waste (e.g., blood, secretions).
• Encapsulation: Filling sharps containers with cement or plastic to prevent puncture.
• Deep Burial: Only in approved sites for anatomical waste (where alternatives unavailable).

Regulatory Compliance

Follow guidelines from:

• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Mandates training, PPE, and exposure control.
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control): Standard precautions for waste handling.
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Oversees disposal impacts.
  Document waste volumes, treatment dates, and disposal manifests. Report spills, exposures, or regulatory breaches immediately.

Key Safety Practices

• Never recap needles; use sharps containers within arm’s reach.
• Decontaminate spills with 1:10 bleach solution or EPA-registered disinfectants.
• Train all staff in segregation protocols annually.